"Rule of Rose" Prompts Euro Call For Video Game Code of Conduct

"Rule of Rose" Prompts Euro Call For Video Game Code of Conduct

November 15, 2006
A commission of the European Union is hoping to spark debate among member countries on video game content issues.

As reported by Reuters, EU Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini said:
Such partnership could for instance explore the usefulness of and necessity for a voluntary code of conduct on the production of interactive games for children.

Frattini added that the EU should explore standarizing a labeling system for game content as well as blocking sales of some games to minors. A spokesman said Frattini was not seeking a ban on violent video games but wanted to pressure the industry to police itself. Frattini's comments included outrage over PS2 title Rule of Rose:
One of the latest games recently available on the European market relates to a young girl who becomes submitted to psychological and physical violence. This has shocked me profoundly for its obscene cruelty and brutality.

These types of "recreational games" are dreadful examples for our children and may provoke or encourage violence or bully(ing) behaviour ... or suggest this is a normal behaviour.

Rule of Rose, published by Atlus, is rated "M" in North America, for purchase by those over 17. According to a sales listing on Amazon UK, the game is due for release Nov. 24th and carries an ELSPA rating for buyers 11 and older.

The issue could be addressed by the EU in early December.

More here, including word that the mayor of Rome wants to ban sales of Rule of Rose.

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Whilst the very idea of this is abhorent to me I must say the idea about a standardised European labelling system is an amusing one because we all know how much better the EU standardised Fire Extinguisher system is...making ever extinguisher the same colour and putting the most hard to identify symbols on them to identify which type they are. Lets not forget that most of Europe has a much better tolerance of violent content then places like Germany and Italy.
If that was a joke, hehe.

If you were being serious... thanks for a nice wall of text. Your whole rant is pretty much wrong. You represent the dumb side of gaming.

Frankly not all games are appropriate for all ages, but that is not for me to decide, except in the case of my children.

Frankly though, I find some obscure japanese titles like "Battle Raper" a bit....... disturbing?
No video game legislation should ever exist. Video games are perfectly innocent in every way and should be praised, not denounced, I love violent video games and I can't understand why people pick on such an innocent form of entertainment. All violent video games are appropriate for people of all ages and should be marketed to everyone. Jack Thompson, and others like him, need to shut up and stop trying to hurt an innocent industry. These games are good and I played many violent video games and I never committed a single act of violence in the real world. I think these stupid anti-game fanatic pigs, like Jack Thompson, do it for fame and money. Every time a video gamer goes crazy and kills some people, they immediately attack our fun and try to destroy our good times. Crazy gamers, who do crazy things, are derranged and would do it no matter what games they play, violence or no violence. Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and England need to unban all the games they've banned because of violence. No game should ever be banned because of violence. These games are good. I don't know how else to say it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Games like Doom, Quake, The Warriors, Unreal Tournament, Mortal Kombat, Manhunt, Scarface the World is Yours, Gangs of London, Infected, Blood, Blood 2 the Chosen, Bully and Dead Rising are as innocent fun as a day at Disneyland. They are completely innocent of all accusations. The accusations don't fit and if they don't fit, you must acquit!! Violence has always existed in the real world since the begginning of time and no video game has ever inspired anyone to committ an act of violence in the real world. These countries must stop their awful assault on these beautiful games. The theories and the utterly false charges must be dropped at once. Rockstar and Take-Two are awesome and should be praised, not denounced, violent video games are good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is a reasuring to know that America's view of Europe as a "Socialistic Utopia" may actually be a little off. Smart people doing stupid things over a long period of time still confuses the heck out out of me though.

Babus

PS: Conflict will draw the EU together into an actual country very soon. Maybe the game controversy is just credibility bait.
I love Xplay. It's awesome and I watch it all the time. I've been a loyal viewer of that show for over four years when it was only Adam Sessler. Morgan Webb hadn't come along yet and it was Extended Play. Even though I love the show, I can't understand why they would give such an awesome game like Mortal Kombat Armageddon a 2 out of 5.
Oh yeah, Terminator44...

That assertion regarding socialism is boggling. For one thing, it was Eastern Europe, and for another I don't think that the general European populace affected were especially *comfortable* with it...

Italy - from whence this controversy originates - is a particularly right-wing (and like the US has become, quite religiously dogmatic) governed nation. This is why free-speech is, according to Frattini's logic, a lesser issue than "protecting the children".
@ Silver Derstin

Actually Atlus are only the US publishers.

505 Games - a small esoteric outfit that prides itself on publishing small esoteric games in Europe that no one else thinks there's a market for - are responsible for its European release.

'mon the 505.
xzero87, that's because (suprise) games have this "for kids" label attached to them.

I heard Euronews about this and they showed some footage of kids playing on a Sega Megadrive. Whenever 'normal' news picks stuff like this up they manage to portray games in the least relevant way possible, it seems.
So, it's obvious that this move is over Rule of Rose. I haven't seen or heard anything about the game (other than one completely incomprehensible trailer on Cinematech almost a year ago), but from what I gleaned from it's Wikipedia article, it includes lesbian rape involving minors (however, it seems that the minors are the rapists). Funny that this game has been out in North America since September, yet we have yet to hear a peep about it in the States. It seems odd that something that doesn't bother U.S. politicians would bother European ones. I thought the other side of the Atlantic was the less reactionary one.

Regardless, I geniunly believe that this measure will pass or at least get strong public support. As some posters have pointed out, Western Europe isn't as defensive about free speech as the U.S. is. This probably coincides with the stubborn presence that socialism has had there for almost half a century. People there seem to put far too much faith in their governments to decide what's best for them.
I find it absolutely incomprehensible that games like this are "OMG teh debil! Corrupting our citizens!", yet movies of similar style (Saw III anyone?) are perfectly alright, and no politician ever even mentions them.
Anyone else considered the possibility that the reason they're pushing for legislation at the EU level is because it effectively avoids the issue of oversight and would make any measures that are enacted almost impossible to remove?
Rule of Rose is actually a clone of another game pretty much. Haunting grounds was pretty much the same thing almost.
The reason behind this is, Frattini wanted some of the spotlight after fellow Italian politicians voiced similar concerns today :/
Read a couple of reviews on Rule of Rose; I guess there's actually some pretty unsettling stuff in there, enough to deserve the M rating...if there are really plans to release it under the 11+ age rating, not sure that's a good idea. Not the type of game I'm used to seeing from Atlus, to be sure.
See my comments on the story just before this one for more links on this débacle.
I saw a trailer for this game a couple months back...

It looked REALLY FUCKED UP!
I'm still waiting for examples of where game publishers are marketing adult-themed games to children.
Going by the exact letter of what he said, I have no problem with the idea of a "voluntary code of conduct on the production of interactive games for children."
Now, Rule of The Rose is not an interactive game for children, so it wouldn't be affected.
[quote]One of the latest games recently available on the European market relates to a young girl who becomes submitted to psychological and physical violence. This has shocked me profoundly for its obscene cruelty and brutality.[/quote]

So it's okay for boys, grown men, and for that matter, grown women to be submitted to psychological and physical violence, but girls are off limits?That seems a bit... off. Specially when people don't seem to have a problem with little Timmy going off to fight the horribly f-up.
Feels like Atlus is trying to capitalize on Controversy cash with an actual controversial game, unlike Bully and 25 to Life. If the game is any good, I'll probably get it, even if the EU says it's the evilest game of all times.
You know what? I'm tired of responding with actual thought-out responses and things like that. I think I'd just like to express myself.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Frattini added that the EU should explore standarizing a labeling system for game content
Obviously he hasnt looked at any game packaging recently. PEGI anyone?
Are any game developers actually marketting violent games to children?

Seems the industry are taking cetain steps to at least educate their customers on the type of content in the games. Now, perhaps this could be improved, and as such I support the commisioner's position, but I feel more recognition could be made of the fact that the industry is willing to do this.
Ack, that bit at the end should be f-ed up *or f***ed up*.
*Sigh*

Stupidity, thy name is Franco Frattini...


Seriously, the claim alone that Rule of the Rose is (per default) a "childrens game", is practically a mockery of all that the videogame industry stands for today. Perhaps Franco needs a lecture about how and when videogaming in general ceased to be exclusively "for kids".

As a european myself, I now find this guy's mere Existence offensive!
When Jack hears about it, he will be extremly upset about, and talk about banning it, then he'll find out it's not made by Rockstar games and shut up about it.
I am really getting tired of this. It seems that since 9/11 politicians want to take away all our liberties. When will we, the people say that enough is enough? I really think that they are going way too far with "protecting" the weak. We should have the right to play a horror game, just as we have the right to watch a horror movie. When you don't want kids to play them, DON'T BUY THOSE GAMES FOR YOUR KIDS, geez. Lazy parents and politicians are the death to our freedom of choice.

I am an adult, and if I choose to play a violent game I should be able to. It is ridiculous for them to assume that Humans can't see the difference between fantasy and real violence. Even other animals can see this difference, so why do they think that Humans can't? Do they really think that we are less intelligent than most mammals and that we can't see what is real?

I am fear this news because Europe hardly has any protection against idiots such as this politician. We don't have a strong constitution that will protect us from hawks like that. I can't believe that they think games are such a threat to society, when they most likely aren't at all. Violence isn't something new caused by videogames. Humans have been violent throughout the entire history of mankind. And why does politician act as if people learn from videogames alone? When you are old enough and your parents have taught you the difference between right and wrong, this shouldn't at all change you to be someone else. I have played violence videogames since I was 12 (I am 30 now) and I have never beated someone up.

I hardly have any words for how I feel right now. All I can say is that I am severly pissed off at people who think they should decide for us how we should live our own lives. I didn't get born to be told exactly what I can and can't do, 24/7. I would love to have at least some freedom into deciding how to live my own life. But no, videogames are teh evilz!!
Its funny that he wants to ban a mature rated game becuse a child should not play it. This quote says it best:
"Censorship is telling a man he cannot eat a steak becuase a baby cannot chew it."
Ocar Wilde (?)

- Warren Lewis
"Frattini added that the EU should explore standarizing a labeling system for game content"

PEGI, then?

/b
lol, rule of rose=new bully?
Given the increasing grip socialism is taking all over Europe, this comes as no suprise. I feel bad for European gamers- having to deal with all that PAL vs NTSC crap...and now this.
How long will it take for people to figure out that games like this aren't for kids? How completely oblivious to rating labels can they possibly be?
Quebec and the rest of Canada still seem safe but at this rate I wonder for how long. Willing to bet that Alberta will be the first province to propose a law to ban video games.
omegaman is right, the European Leisure Software Publishers Association hasn't rated a game in donkeys' years.

Play.com (who tend to be less... intensely stupid than Amazon) have a preliminary boxshot of the game with a PEGI 18+ certificate, but 16+ for violence is the recent confirmation.

http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation2/4-/1099163/Rule_Of_Rose/Product.h...

Rule of Rose is also not the most publicized game approaching the European market, with only Horror game aficionados aware of its existence anyway.

Also, off topic slightly, it's worth noting that despite what dear Mr Thompson keeps claiming, in the UK it is *only* BBFC ratings that are supported by law, and they are themselves voluntary, with publishers *submitting* games which they believe require the wider understood film classifications.

And BBFC ratings are not enforced a tremendous amount, with parents still ultimately determining what their children consume.

PEGI is the primary system, and like the ESRB it is merely a guideline.
A code of conduct?

So what he means is he wants the EU to be able to censor content that they think breaks this "Code of Conduct".

YAY FOR CENSORSHIP.
"but wanted to pressure the industry to police itself."

Huh? What's the ESRB for? Making sandwiches? Although, I suppose that if they are letting an M rated game be sold to 11-year olds, maybe they are the ones who ought to have a look at their system.
Actually, the game is rated "16+" by PEGI for most european countries, including Italy, and 15+ for Finland. You can check it at www.pegi.info (search by "rule of rose").

I believe we, europeans, have found our very own Jack Thompson.
[quote]Such partnership could for instance explore the usefulness of and necessity for a voluntary code of conduct on the production of interactive games for children.[/quote]


*Slams his head into the nearest wall... Repeatedly....*

Wait, I'm not the one that needs to have some sense pounded into them......
Eisenkanzler,

If you ask politicians or anti-game activists sure. Unfortunately they have no common sense-- that, or I'm just imagining the bold black "M" on the cover art pictured at the top of the page.

Really irritates me when people in the media/governments pull the "marketing violent games to kids" crap, without realizing that ratings are actually enforced on the retail end (sometimes) and that the problem lies with the parents. Just several days ago, when I bought F.E.A.R: Extraction Point at my local EBGames, they actually asked for ID to confirm I was 17+. I actually congratulated the guy at the counter for being so responsible.
@Joel

Actually, if you did your research, you'll find that, up until recently, socialism (and its lesser form, Keynesianism) were quite prevalent in Western Europe (to be fair, of course, Keynesianism was equally popular in the States until Reagan came to Power). No where is this more true than your own country (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_socialism_in_Great_Britain#The_2...). Yes, they were not nearly as oppressive as Eastern Europe (keep in mind that Socialism does not equal Communism), but the attitude that almost all decisions (especially economic ones) are best made by the state was still the order of the day in most of Western Europe.

As for your statement that those affected by Socialsm didn't care for it, how do you explain the staunch resistance of some to Margret Thatcher's free market policies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_miners%27_strike_%281984-1985%29)?

Admittingly, I was a bit foolish to decry an economic system as the primary cause of this nonsense. For that, I apologize. But still, having most of Europe grow up with the idea of -at least- a moderate sense of collectivism for so long, as opposed to the more individualistic beliefs of many U.S. citizens, has lead to a profound difference on how each country tackles free-speech issues. There's no denying that.

"Italy - from whence this controversy originates - is a particularly right-wing (and like the US has become, quite religiously dogmatic) governed nation. This is why free-speech is, according to Frattini’s logic, a lesser issue than “protecting the children."

I see. Having a group of extreme rightists in control could definatly lead to that kind of behavior. However, having extreme leftists would likely have the same effect, just for different reasons. That's why I believe having competitive political parties and the like was one of the biggest mistakes made in the development of democracy, but that's a debate for another day ;).
I've heard of Rule of Rose... I saw X-Play's review and another review (forgot where, though) and... Rule of Rose sucks. That's what both reviews said, at least. And as an American, I can't help but feel the pain of our European-gamer-brethren. But, also as an American, I can't help but feel thankful that we have the Consitution to protect us from all these censo-cratic bastards.
The reviews I've read are pretty typical for survival horror.

A+++ Story
F--- gameplay

I'll probably give it a rent to see if I like it.
When it comes to survival horror, I dont' mind bad controls as long as he story/atmosphere is done well.

Hell, the Silent Hill series is my favorite series, despite the broken controls in the first three games.
Terminator44
thats because lesbians rule,put acoupel of strapping young males in it and there will be no end to the flaming.
You know, i can't help but be somewhat reminded of the whole controversy of "25 for life". Basically we got a contorversial game that's reseving lots of critisim and attention, but will overall be a poor game that won't even sell well; a game that many probably would have never noticed it exsited had it not been for the anti-game critics. Seriously, the game has been out for 2 months and this is the first time i've ever heard of it... Heh, ign apparently never even did a proper reveiw/rating of the game, just has one reader review...
A few points:

The suggestion of a standardized pan-European game ratings system is not as silly as it sounds. PEGI, despite the name, is not actually pan-European, covering only 16 countries, basically the "old" 15 countries of the EU minus Germany, but including Switzerland and Norway. I assume most German gamers would be happy to have their system replaced by PEGI, as the German USK has recently refused classification for Gears of War and Dead Rising, making it impossible to distribute them in Germany.

About Italian politics: The Italian government is not far-right these days, but center-left. Berlusconi lost the last election and was replaced by Romano Prodi as prime minister.
Where did this guy hear about this game? This is one of those games you never see advertised on tv. I only heard about through EGM and then I saw the Xplay review and from what I can tell this game sucks...at least the gameplay. I wonder if there's anyway we can make it illegal to make sucky games?
@ Brokenscope


I was being serious, but I wasn't defending pornography or rape. I believe that's wrong. Notice I didn't mention GTA in my post! I would love to play that game except that it has too much sex and partial nudity. I only meant to defend violent content in video games. I believe that there should be no sex, or anything like the hot coffee mod in GTA San Andreas. However, violent content in video games should be pumped up to the sky. I hope that clears my views and I think the stupid side of gaming is the side that says video game legislation is a good thing. They're the morons. Violent content in video games should never be restricted to anyone.
@Warren Lewis

That was Mark Twain.
Just a heads-up:

505 Games released a statement on this whole controversy thing.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=70127

"505 Games has announced that it will be inviting politicians and journalists to the game for themselves by attending a preview presentation, to be held on November 23 in Milan."

Good on 'em.
this game sucks, the fighting system is totally broken and the storyline makes no sense....

there is literally a fight scene in the game where you fight a girl who barfs radioactive vomit on you....im not kidding...she barfs at you and if you stand it in your character takes damage.. its retarded sh-it like this that ruins the game and there are many more stupid examples.


its a stupid and shi-tty game but its trying to sell alot of copies by being controversial

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Posted 03/19/10 at 05:18pm
JDKJ: @Val": You got me there. That one was pure troll. And posted in memory of DarkSaber, who hasn't been around much, lately.
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:36pm
Andrew Eisen: JDKJ - Probably the widow/widower.
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:33pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:who gives a shit about you :P
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:33pm
Valdearg: Lol.. Wow, JDKJ. Troll much?
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:27pm
JDKJ: Who gives a rat's ass about the children of fallen soldiers?
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:16pm
Andrew Eisen: I completely agree.
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:15pm
Valdearg: If they really wanted to help the troops, they should donate their money to a legitimate charity with a good cash in/out ratio.
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:14pm
Valdearg: It's just offensive that people who attend these things think they are helping the troops, when in reality, Hannity is using MOST of the money to live large in the cities he travels to. He could at least scale down his accommodations..
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:13pm
Andrew Eisen: Val - But they did get something and that's better than nothing. Also, the Freedom Concert site is clear that expenses are subtracted from the donated amount so while it’s not fraud (from what little I’ve seen) it is pretty crummy.
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:12pm
ZippyDSMlee: fou fundrasier, from a fou consertive, who would have thought :P.
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:11pm
Valdearg: The problem, Zip, is that barely ANY of the proceeds are going to the children. It's all going so hannity can line his own pockets and enjoy a life of luxury. He is a grade A Piece of Human Crap.
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:09pm
ZippyDSMlee: Hanaity cn afford to pay for it himself so all proceeds go to the childernz or whatever. .....
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:09pm
ZippyDSMlee: But anyway you want to pad your rep with a funrasier get 80% to the people its suppose to go to....
Posted 03/19/10 at 02:03pm
ZippyDSMlee: VLag:thats ture but alot of cop and fireman and other thigns are under 10% to what they give to what they are raising money for
Posted 03/19/10 at 01:48pm
Valdearg: On top of that, the children of fallen soldiers who DID recieve money for school only recieved a pittance. Often less than 1000 dollars, and no child recieved more than 6000, which is not nearly enough to pay for an education.
Posted 03/19/10 at 01:46pm
Valdearg: The fact that Hannity's charity only does 4-7%, and he uses a lot of the other money for luxury travel and accomodations for himself and his friends. That's just fraud, no matter how you put it.
Posted 03/19/10 at 01:44pm
Valdearg: Woah Zip. Broken record mode. There are many, many other charities that can pull off a 50% or better donation rate with the money they are given.
Posted 03/19/10 at 01:39pm
ZippyDSMlee: ya but half of all fundriaseing stuff is under 10% 0-o
Posted 03/19/10 at 10:21am
Valdearg: Lmao. I was just permabanned from the hannity forums for asking about her article. It was politely worded, and I made sure to imply that I was conservative. Seems to me like Hannity is in full damage control, at the moment.
Posted 03/19/10 at 10:00am
Valdearg: Link in my name.
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